Hellraiser’s Franchise-Changing Sequels Are Officially Redeemed As 2 Of Streaming’s Biggest Hits

Published Oct 19, 2026, 8:06 AM EDT Nick Bythrow is a Lead Writer for ScreenRant. He has been writing for the site since September 2022. He graduated from Hampshire College in 2022, where he triple majored in Journalism, Communications, and Media Studies. When he's not writing about TV and movies for ScreenRant and his blog, Frayed Branches, Nick is penning speculative fiction and poetry on Amazon. He lives outside Boston, Massachusetts. Hellraiser's franchise-changing sequels have officially scored redemption as two of the biggest hits on streaming right now. The Hellraiser movies are a horror staple, with the franchise being one of the most noteworthy amongst horror movies that have lasted in the cultural conversation for decades. The film series has 11 entries in total, focusing on a puzzle box, the Lament Configuration, which acts as a gateway into a world of monstrous beings called Cenobites. The most noteworthy, the Hell Priest, given the nickname "Pinhead," is at the center of most movies, serving as the franchise's primary antagonist. Pinhead is portrayed by Doug Bradley across the majority of the movies, including the very first one. His commanding presence as the lead Cenobite is what made the original film a classic horror movie, despite its initial, polarizing reception upon release. Since then, the film series has managed to continue with new installments every few years. Bradley initially came back for most of these movies to portray Pinhead. However, starting in 2011, this wasn't the case anymore, with new actors taking on the leading role. Hellraiser's First Non-Doug Bradley Sequels Are Finding New Life On Streaming The ninth movie in the franchise, 2011's Hellraiser: Revelations, was the first not to feature Bradley as Pinhead. Instead, the Cenobite leader was portrayed by Stephen Smith Collins, while Fred Tatasciore provided his voice. In 2018's Hellraiser: Judgment, Paul T. Taylor took on the role. Now, according to new data, both non-Doug Bradley sequels have grown into streaming success stories. Over the weekend of October 16, 2026, both films found themselves in the Top 10 of Lionsgate+ in the UK. Hellraiser: Revelations was Number 7, while Hellraiser: Judgment was Number 9. Hellraiser: Revelations follows the aftermath of two runaway friends disappearing, their families discovering how their fates became entwined with a Cenobite puzzle box. As for Hellraiser: Judgment, the movie takes on a police procedural approach, with a group of detectives hunting a serial killer murdering people based on the Ten Commandments. Neither movie was a critical success, though Judgment earned more critical favor than Revelations. Both movies are available to stream for free in the United States on Tubi. Bradley Would Eventually Get His Pinhead Return In A Different Fashion Unfortunately, Bradley has yet to reprise his role as Pinhead on the big screen again. A new Hellraiser released in 2022 saw Jamie Clayton take on the role of Pinhead, with the film ultimately garnering mixed reviews. However, Bradley recently got a return as Pinhead in a new release for the franchise: the video game Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, which was released on all platforms on October 8, 2026. The horror game sees Bradley lend his voice to bring Pinhead to life in an action-focused, survival horror setting that players must escape from. Although Bradley hasn't been the lead Cenobite onscreen in over 20 years, his presence in the franchise is far from over. But, even though he's absent as Pinhead on the big screen, Hellraiser: Revelations and Hellraiser: Judgment prove just how much interest remains in the series, even if its lead actor is no longer the onscreen representative of the core villain. It also may reflect how the game injected new interest in the Hellraiser franchise, even indirectly, through its new approach. First Film Hellraiser Cast Doug Bradley, Jamie Clayton, Ashley Laurence, Clare Higgins, Sean Chapman, Andrew Robinson, Kenneth Cranham, Imogen Boorman, Terry Farrell, Craig Sheffer Created by Clive Barker Latest Film Hellraiser Movie(s) Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Hellraiser V: Inferno, Hellraiser: Hellseeker, Hellraiser: Deader, Hellraiser: Hellworld, Hellraiser: Revelations, Hellraiser: Judgment, Hellraiser Character(s) Pinhead, Kirsty Cotton, Frank Cotton, Julia Cotton, Dr. Philip Channard, Joey Summerskill, Joseph Thorne, Amy Klein, Trevor Gooden, Tiffany (Hellraiser)